published on
Cast of Characters:
E Ruizzo-- @ruizzoidman21centurions --Manuel-- composition, lyrics, Squier Stratocaster electric guitar, vocals, mix, and production
J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- piano, accordion, and horn
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Jose Ramirez nylon stringed flamenco style guitar, and mastering
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums, percussion
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – four string Fender Precision Bass bass
This song began all the way back when Manuel was 16 and found love that summer with a girl named Carmen. He remembered her, though, and wrote this song about her all these years later. The title of the song means "Your name has the song," and the lyrics spell out the girl's charms using the letters of her name. Check out the lyrics and the translation below.
Using that inspiration, Manuel came up with the song structure and the vocal melodies to a rudimentary drum track with his electric guitar. He then asked Josh if the group would be interested in taking it on. Josh, never being one to refuse a challenging piece of music, and always on the lookout for interesting musicians with whom to collaborate, accepted his kind offer and created a project for the rest of the Eclectic Collecitve to join. He started the whole thing off by adding his bass, to which Ken added his innovative drums, to which Josh redid his bass, as is the typical process in the EC.
Next up was JJ, who you'd think he'd grown up with Spanish music the way he added the horns, accordion, and piano. Then Stephen stepped in and added his psychedelic and intricate acoustic guitar to the stew.
It was all done, except for the mix at this point. Manuel did the honors, and did it very expertly. Stephen mastered it to give it more volume and dynamism, too, as he always does.
This was the first, but we hope not the last, time the EC has collaborated with Manuel, although we're all fans of the incredible music on his page. He was a true delight to work with, giving honest, encouraging feedback and helping us shape his song to meet his vision. We hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Otiginal lyrics by E Ruizzo:
TU NOMBRE TIENE LA CANCIÓN / YOUR NAME HAS THE SONG
Qué es una lágrima en el desierto? / What is a tear in the desert?
Cae sin ruido, se evapora y se olvida. / It falls without noise, evaporates and is forgotten.
No tiene tiempo de brillar, su vida / It has no time to shine, its life
es corta y su camino tan incierto… / is short and its path so uncertain...
Ce del calor del desierto y su sol, / ‘C’ for the heat of the desert and its sun,
a del adiós por el que lloré tanto; / ‘a’ for the farewell for which I cried so much;
erre del río que forma mi llanto; / ‘r’ for the river formed by my crying;
eme de miedo, de magia y de amor. / ‘m’ for fear, for magic and for love.
E de esperanza, de espacio rosado, / ‘E’ for hope, for pink space,
de espina clavada, de suelta emoción; / for stuck thorn, for loose emotion;
ene de noche de un tiempo pasado. / ‘n’ for night of a past time.
Carmen, tu nombre tiene la canción / Carmen, your name has the song
de todo aquello que has significado: / of all that you have meant:
Carmen de luz, de sonrisa y de adiós. / Carmen of light, of smile and of goodbye.